Awakening within

The class had ended, but Jin Jue's mind remained consumed by Elder Wu's words. The path of cultivation was clear, yet impossibly vast. As the other disciples murmured among themselves, either awed or anxious, Jin Jue sat still, his fists clenched.

He had no noble lineage, no prestigious bloodline—only his will. If he was to rise above the rest, he needed to start now.

"All new disciples, gather outside the lecture hall," Elder Wu announced, his voice cutting through the chatter. "It is time for your Qi Awakening Ceremony."

A ripple of excitement and apprehension ran through the disciples. The Qi Awakening Ceremony was the first test, the moment where each disciple would attempt to absorb spiritual energy for the first time.

Jin Jue rose with the others, following the procession as they stepped out of the hall and onto the Jade Pure Sect's Spirit Convergence Platform. The stone platform, carved with ancient runes, pulsed faintly with spiritual energy, drawing qi from the heavens and earth. In the center stood a towering Spirit Stone Pillar, its crystalline surface shimmering with flowing energy.

Elder Wu stood before them, his hands clasped behind his back. "Each of you will step forward and place your palm on the pillar. It will measure your talent and affinity for qi absorption."

Jin Jue exhaled. This was the moment that separated the destined from the ordinary.

One by one, the disciples stepped forward, placing their hands on the pillar. Some caused faint glows, others bright ones.

"Average talent."

"Low talent."

"Moderate talent.

Each assessment rang out like a hammer blow, setting the disciples' fates in stone.

Then, a boy from the Liu family approached. As soon as he touched the pillar, a brilliant blue light surged upward. Gasps filled the air.

"A-grade talent! High spiritual affinity!"

Jin Jue ignored the murmurs. He didn't care about others—only himself.

Finally, his turn came. Stepping forward, he placed his palm against the pillar.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then, a dull glow flickered, weak and unimpressive.

The elder examining the results frowned. "Low talent. Poor affinity."

Snickers erupted from the crowd.

"Heh, another waste."

"A commoner with no bloodline? What did you expect?"

Jin Jue remained silent. He knew better than to react. The weak who showed anger only fed the strong.

Elder Wu, however, studied him carefully. "Talent is only the first step," he said. "Cultivation is built on perseverance, not just natural gifts. You may step back."

Jin Jue obeyed, his mind racing.

He refused to accept this. If his talent was weak, he would find another way.

As the ceremony concluded, the disciples were led to their cultivation chambers to begin their first meditation session.

Jin Jue sat cross-legged within his assigned chamber, breathing deeply. Around him, the air was thick with spiritual energy, drawn by the sect's formations.

Closing his eyes, he recalled the basics of qi absorption—clearing the mind, sensing the energy, drawing it inward.

Minutes passed. Then hours.

Nothing.

His body refused to take in qi, as if his veins were blocked.

Jin Jue gritted his teeth. "No. I refuse."

If the normal method wouldn't work, then he would force it.

Slowing his breath, he sharpened his focus, reaching deeper. Instead of trying to absorb qi gently, he willed it—demanded it.

The chamber trembled. A faint, barely perceptible wisp of qi entered his body.

Jin Jue's eyes widened. It was weak—pathetically weak—but it was something.

He would build upon this. He would carve his own path.

Jin Jue sat motionless in the dimly lit cultivation chamber, his breath slow and steady. A thin wisp of qi swirled faintly around him, almost imperceptible, but it was there—a sign that he had begun. The initial step was the hardest, but now he had proof that he could absorb spiritual energy, even if it was weaker than the others.

He opened his eyes, exhaling. Sweat beaded on his forehead. Even drawing in that single strand of qi had felt like trying to pull a mountain. The pain had been subtle but constant, as if his body resisted cultivation itself.

But he refused to stop.

The sect's cultivation chambers were designed to assist new disciples. The walls were lined with faintly glowing runes that naturally gathered qi, making absorption easier. Yet, while others sat in meditation, breathing in energy effortlessly, Jin Jue struggled for every wisp.

"This isn't enough," he muttered.

His mind drifted back to the words of Elder Wu. Talent is only the first step. Cultivation is built on perseverance, not just natural gifts.

That was fine. If his talent was weak, then he would simply work harder than anyone else.

Jin Jue clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. He steadied his breath and shut his eyes again. Instead of attempting to passively absorb qi, he would try something different—forceful absorption.

Most disciples meditated to let qi naturally seep into them. But what if he pulled it in actively, no matter the strain?

He focused, directing his will toward the spiritual energy in the room. Instead of allowing it to enter his body slowly, he reached out with his mind, dragging it inward.

Pain exploded through his meridians.

Jin Jue gasped but didn't stop. His veins felt like they were burning, as if his body was rejecting the very energy he needed. But through gritted teeth, he endured. If his body resisted, he would force it to change.

Seconds turned to minutes, and then—

Boom!

A faint pulse rippled from within him.

Jin Jue's eyes snapped open, wide with shock. The tiny thread of qi he had absorbed moments ago had suddenly spread, if only slightly. His dantian, the core where qi was stored, trembled ever so slightly, as if acknowledging his effort.

He had broken through the initial barrier.

Not enough to reach the first stage of Qi Condensation, but the resistance he had felt before had lessened slightly.

He grinned.

"This method works."

Painful, yes. Dangerous, possibly. But he had no other choice. If talent wasn't on his side, he would force his way forward.

Just then, a knock echoed against the chamber door.

"Jin Jue!" a voice called. "Instructor Wu has summoned all new disciples to the training field. Hurry up!"

Jin Jue stood, stretching his sore limbs. His session had drained him, but the spark of progress was enough to keep him going.

He would endure. He would improve.

And soon, he would prove them all wrong.